Rumors Surface On Apple’s SDK Plan; Sounds Similar To A Walled Garden

Developers may be disappointed next week when Apple (NSDQ: AAPL) lays out plans for the iPhone SDK. Some details are surfacing today on the kit that make it sound an awful lot like a carrier’s walled garden. The information will be especially disheartening to developers who were banking on Apple to be a less restricted avenue to distribute applications to consumers. The rumors were reported by iLounge, who spoke to a number of sources on the condition of anonymity.

The rumored details:

— Apple will require that all mobile applications be distributed through iTunes. This rumor has already been circulating for some time. It’s surprising that the carriers are OK with this arrangement since often times they can demand a portion of proceeds from the sale of an application.

— Apple will hand-pick the applications that will be put up for sale. “Our sources confirm that Apple will act as a gatekeeper for applications, deciding which are and are not worthy of release, and publishing only approved applications to the iTunes Store; a process that will less resemble the iTunes Store